Some modern “smart” projectors have built in support for screen mirroring. Check to see if your projector supports AirPlay (Apple), Chromecast (Google), and Miracast (Samsung). If your projector does not support these, you will need a small device (dongle) that plugs into the HDMI port on your projector to allow you to wirelessly mirror or extend your phone display to the projector. We at Stanza have tested a few different devices that do this. Please note: Stanza Projector Mode unfortunately does not work with Epson iProjection.
Each of these devices require some setup that will need to be done on a wireless network that is connected to the internet. Once setup is done, you can take them anywhere and connect to any network or hotspot (if required). Click or tap the name of the product for a link to the manufactures website but also check around for the cheapest prices.
Roku Express
Pros
- Inexpensive
- Small device
- Smooth scrolling
- iOS and Android*
Cons
- Must be on network (can be hotspot)
- Is TV streamer
- Must create account and verify device
- Doesn’t support 4k resolution
Overall this is the best option for most people. It’s annoying that you can’t completely hide all the TV features but you can hide most of them. If the TV features don’t bother you this is likely the one to get.
* Rokus and Google Pixels don’t seem to work together.
Verdict – 7/10 recommended
Other Roku devices
We’ve tested the cheapest Roku and a few of the better ones and they all work the same. The only reason to consider buying a more expensive Roku is if your projector supports 4K resolution. To get 4K you will need a Roku or screen mirroring device that also supports 4k.
Apple TV 4K
Pros
- Best option for Apple devices
- Smooth scrolling
- Doesn’t need network
- Can hide all TV features
Cons
- Expensive
- Largest device
- Doesn’t work with Android
- Must have Apple account
Apple TV works really well with Apple devices. This is a good option for a permanent setup like a school or church if you want to connect with only Apple devices. It’s the most reliable wireless connection and the easiest to understand.
Verdict – 6/10 maybe
J5 Create ScreenCast Wireless Display Adapter
Pros
- Smallest device
- Is not TV streamer
- iOS and Android
- Android doesn’t need network
Cons
- Scrolling can be jerky
- Connection not super reliable
- Must be on network for iOS (can be hotspot)
- Doesn’t support 4K resolution
This is the only option we’ve tested that is not a TV streaming device. It works fairly well but scrolling can be jerky, and it occasionally disconnects or is difficult to connect to. Android devices can connect without a network, but for iOS there are a few different options: 1) connect both the J5 and your device to the same network, 2) connect the J5 to your device’s hotspot, or 3) connect your device to the network the J5 creates.
Verdict – 5/10 okay
Projectors
Any projector with an HDMI port will work with any of the dongles above. We have tested a few portable projectors with built in screen mirroring tech that works with varying levels of success. These are “portable projectors” meaning they are suitable for use with small to medium size groups (approx. 20 people max). For a big group or a permanent setup it would be best to look into bigger, brighter projectors.
Nebula Capsule 3 Laser
This is a great little projector. Picture quality is not 4K but is more than sufficient for Stanza. Rated at 300 ANSI lumens it is bright enough to make a medium size picture even in less than ideal conditions. Auto focus and auto keystone tech works fairly well, and it can run on battery power for an hour or two.
The built in screen mirroring tech leaves somewhat to be desired. It works, but it requires a network connection and scrolling is jerky and inconsistent in Stanza Projector Mode. This projector runs Android TV or Google TV so it has all the TV streaming features and they can’t all be hidden. The battery power is great but it must be plugged in if you wish to sing for very long. Overall, this is an excellent portable projector. We recommend you also buy a tripod of some kind to put it on; it has a standard 1/4″ mounting port on the bottom that should fit any standard tripod.
Verdict – 8/10 recommended
Other projectors from Nebula
Nebula has a few different portable projectors available. They all seem to work roughly the same but with differences in resolution and brightness. The Capsule 3 Laser is rated at 300 ANSI lumens of brightness and 1080p resolution. That is sufficient for a small to medium size group of singers. We recommend you buy a projector with at least 1080p resolution as anything less begins to hinder picture quality. It is much the same story with brightness, anything less than 300 lumens starts to become difficult to read unless your room is very dark. In projectors, you pay for resolution and brightness so buy as good of a projector as your budget will allow.
LG CineBeam Q 4K
This projector is another great option. It is rated at 500 ANSI lumens and 4K resolution. Although it’s slightly larger and heavier than the Nebula Capsule 3, it’s still quite portable. The screen mirroring function works reasonably well and Stanza Projector Mode is fairly smooth. The auto focus and auto keystone tech also works fairly well.
This projector doesn’t have a built-in battery, so it will need to be plugged in. Screen mirroring requires a network connection. It runs on LG’s webOS, which offers all the TV streaming features, but that can all be hidden.
Verdict – 8/10 recommended
We’ve tried to accurately explain the different options here but if you see something wrong or you’ve had a different experience with one of these products please let us know or comment below. Or if you have used a product not covered here and been impressed, please tell us.
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